Does the Bible Promote Polygamy?

Though the LDS church has renounced polygamy since 1890, their Doctrine and Covenants book still contains Joseph Smith's proclamation of it as being needful for true believers to practice. But some splinter LDS sects still hold to the notion of multiple wives.

In a round-about way, Doctrine and Covenants excuses plural marriage because Abraham had two wives and descendents of both sons became numerous. Section 132:34 and 35 reads, "God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife And why did she do it?  Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This,therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises. Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, Nay; for I, the Lord,  commanded it."

But God didn't command that Hagar be given to Abraham so he could father the son of promise. Isaac was that son and he was born by Sarah. Neither was it "the law" that Hagar be given to Abraham.

Moreover, Abraham experienced plenty of grief from having two wives. So did others who had multiple wives. These examples weren't placed in the Bible as commandments to us but as warnings of what sin does.

Jesus proclaimed the proper relationship of marriage in this life while discussing divorce with the Pharisees. Matthew 19:6 (KJV) quotes him regarding a young man and a woman, "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

Doctrine and Covenants Section 132 also touches on what Mormons call celestial marriage where people wed in their church are united throughout eternity. The Bible nowhere teaches that.

I'll be writing more about LDS beliefs in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People must know the true gospel so thoroughly that when a false one is preached, they won't be fooled. My hope is that God will let my writing be his warning to straying Christians.